The investigation on metalenses have been rapidly developing, aiming to bring compact optical devices with superior properties to the market. Realizing miniature optics at the UV frequency range in particular has been challenging as the available transparent materials have limited range of dielectric constants. In this work we introduce a low absorption loss and low refractive index dielectric material magnesium oxide, MgO, as an ideal candidate for metalenses operating at UV frequencies. We theoretically investigate metalens designs capable of efficient focusing over a broad UV frequency range (200–400 nm). The presented metalenses are composed of sub-wavelength MgO nanoblocks, and characterized according to the geometric Pancharatnam–Berry phase method using FDTD method. The presented broadband metalenses can focus the incident UV light on tight focal spots (182 nm) with high numerical aperture ( $$\hbox {NA}\approx 0.8$$NA ≈ 0.8 ). The polarization conversion efficiency of the metalens unit cell and focusing efficiency of the total metalens are calculated to be as high as 94%, the best value reported in UV range so far. In addition, the metalens unit cell can be hybridized to enable lensing at multiple polarization states. The presented highly efficient MgO metalenses can play a vital role in the development of UV nanophotonic systems and could pave the way towards the world of miniaturization.

We theoretically investigate a multi-resonant plasmonic metamaterial perfect absorber operating between 600 and 950 nm wavelengths. The presented device generates 100% absorption at two resonance wavelengths and delivers an ultra-narrow band (sub-20 nm) and high quality factor $(Q=44)$ resonance. The studied perfect absorber is a metal–insulator–metal configuration where a thin MgF${}_2$ spacer is sandwiched between an optically thick gold layer and uniformly patterned gold circular nanodisc antennas. The localized and propagating nature of the plasmonic resonances are characterized and confirmed theoretically. The origin of the perfect absorption is investigated using the impedance matching and critical coupling phenomenon. We calculate the effective impedance of the perfect absorber and confirm the matching with the free space impedance. We also investigate the scattering properties of the top antenna layer and confirm the minimized reflection at resonance wavelengths by calculating the absorption and scattering cross sections. The excitation of plasmonic resonances boost the near-field intensity by three orders of magnitude which enhances the interaction between the metamaterial surface and the incident energy. The refractive index sensitivity of the perfect absorber could go as high as $S=500$ nm/RIU. The presented optical characteristics make the proposed narrow-band multi-resonant perfect absorber a favorable platform for biosensing and contrast agent based bioimaging.

We present a metamaterial-based perfect absorber (PA) that strongly supports four resonances covering a wide spectral range from 1.8 µm to 10 µm of the electromagnetic spectrum. The designed perfect absorber has metal–dielectric–metal layers where a MgF₂ spacer is sandwiched between an optically thick gold film and patterned gold nanoantennas. The spectral tuning of PA is achieved by calibrating the geometrical parameters numerically and experimentally. The manufactured quad-band plasmonic PA absorbs light close to the unity. Moreover, the biosensing capacity of the PA is tested using a 14 kDa S100A9 antibody, which is a clinically relevant biomarker for brain metastatic cancer cells. We utilize a UV-based photochemical immobilization technique for patterning of the antibody monolayer on a gold surface. Our results reveal that the presented PA is eligible for ultrasensitive detection of such small biomarkers in a point-of-care device to potentially personalize radiotherapy for patients with brain metastases.

Plasmonic metamaterials have opened new avenues in medical diagnostics. However, the transfer of the technology to the markets has been delayed due to multiple challenges. The need of bulky optics for signal reading from nanostructures patterned on submillimeter area limits the miniaturization of the devices. The use of objective-free optics can solve this problem, which necessitates large area patterning of the nanostructures. In this work, we utilize laser interference lithography (LIL) to pattern nanodisc-shaped metamaterial absorber nanoantennas over a large area (4 cm²) within minutes. The introduction of a sacrificial layer during the fabrication process enables an inverted hole profile and a well-controlled liftoff, which ensures perfectly defined uniform nanopatterning almost with no defects. Furthermore, we use a macroscopic reflection probe for optical characterization in the near-IR, including the detection of the binding kinematics of immunologically relevant proteins. We show that the photonic quality of the plasmonic nanoantennas commensurates with electron-beam-lithography-fabricated ones over the whole area. The refractive index sensitivity of the LIL-fabricated metasurface is determined as 685 nm per refractive index unit, which demonstrates ultrasensitive detection. Moreover, the fabricated surfaces can be used multiple times for biosensing without losing their optical quality. The combination of rapid and large area nanofabrication with a simple optical reading not only simplifies the detection process but also makes the biosensors more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Therefore, the improvements provided in this work will empower researchers and industries for accurate and real-time analysis of biological systems.

The growing demand for complex nanophotonic devices that operate in the ultraviolet (UV) range necessitates the development of innovative compatible optical devices, particularly for use in lithography applications. In this context, we introduce the first non-contrast dielectric flat metalenses that offer tunable multi-focal polarization channeling in the UV region. The metalens we have developed consists of equally spaced Al\(_2\)O\(_3\) nanoblocks carved on an Al\(_2\)O\(_3\) substrate. We demonstrate that controlling the arrangement of nanoblocks on the substrate provides a sufficient geometric phase (Pancharatnam-Berry phase) for developing spatially tunable quadruple-focal metalens in the UV region. While illuminating with the linear polarized light, precise manipulation of the phase profile generates multiple tightly confined focal points, where each possesses different controllable circular polarization states. This feature makes the offered approach a suitable strategy for spatially controlled polarization filtering and channeling. Our design also shows high polarization conversion efficiency in the whole UV spectrum. As proof of concept, we show the focusing characteristics of our designed metalens at four chosen wavelengths. This study demonstrates a promising basis for further development of UV nanophotonic devices and potentially opens up new opportunities for future employment of flat optics in a variety of industrial applications in the UV range.